It’s been over three months since I arrived home. And during that time I have been gainfully employed and operating under a regular schedule. Though it may not seem like a long time to the average land dweller it sure feels like a long time to me. In the last three years, without really meaning to, I never did the same thing for more than a couple months. I’d be on a ship for three months as a librarian, then traveling for 6 weeks, then home for 2 weeks, then off again on another ship. Constantly having something different to do right around the corner. So my internal nomadic clock is telling me it’s time for a change. And not so much telling me, but screaming it at me.
Thus I’ve been perusing the internet for my next adventure (a fellowship with Kiva is what I’m looking at now–check out kiva.com). Not that I’m actually going to do it, but operating in such a way as to reassure myself that I CAN “hit the road” again if I really need to… in awhile. But for now I’m sticking around. I feel like if I can get through the next month or so of having a normal schedule and just keep getting out of bed every morning to do something incredibly similar to what I did the day before then I’ll come out the other side of my hump loving the fact that I’m home.
The great thing is that it really doesn’t matter either way. If my hump never gets summited then I’ll begin wandering around the world having adventures again. If I get through it and home starts feeling like a permanent home, then that’s just fine too.
I figured it had to do with differing temperatues, but I thought I’d google it for the official answer as to why this gorgeous mist happens, other than to start my day off beautifully.
Thank you google: “The mist that may be seen above ponds and lakes on cold winter mornings and clear summer nights is sometimes called steam fog. It forms when there is a big difference between the temperature of the water and that of the air above it. During the night, the air often cools off much faster than the water. The warm water from the surface of the lake evaporates into the cold air above. The sudden cooling of the rising water vapor changes some of the dampness into very small droplets of water, which float above the lake as steam fog.”
Here’s to steam fog.
I’ve been trying to get hooked back into the volleyball world. Yesterday there was an reverse doubles coed tournament in Renton that I played in. It was fun. My partner, Chris, and I did mediocre in pool play which put us in the middle division bracket. Didn’t make it to the winners bracket, but that meant we were able to beat everybody in the middle bracket and win it!
I always enjoy being the winner.
My friend from SU, Tiffany, played with another guy so I had some company and the sun was out and the barbeque was going. So it was a lot of fun. Nice to see new faces and just talk with a different crowd. That’s something I miss about traveling. I don’t get to meet as many new people.
It was a long day though, getting up at 6:30am and not getting home from the tournament til 7:30pm. Today I am so ridiculously sore, but not physically tired, which is a good sign. I’m out of shape, but still young and full of energy!
Well my cruise ship career is behind me. Not to say I’ll never work on a cruise again, but my extensive traveling itch has been scratched.
I found a job working as an Activity Director at a retirement community in Tacoma. The location is not ideal, but I am really enjoying the work. I plan the monthly calendar, do quite a bit of calling and trying to make community contacts, dream up new things to keep our residents entertained. I love the residents and I get to work pretty independently which I really enjoy.
Other than work I’m still figuring out what it is I want to do with my free time. I’m so used to being trapped on a floating ship with limited options, and now I’ve got a world full of highways and anything my heart could possibly desire. I almost just don’t know what to do with it all.
The exciting news around town is that my sister and her husband are pregnant! Which means, of course, that I am going to be an aunt to the most amazing niece/nephew in the world. So I’m pretty excited.
I feel like the rest of life will fall into place eventually, just working on adjusting to ‘the real world’ and figuring what I want to do with my life!
May 13, 2009
Since I wrote last I have received some WONDERFUL news. I emailed the home office and asked to have my contract shortened. I’m supposed to be here until July 28. They are working everyone more than they ever have and my time off the ship during the day is about half of what its been in the past. And I’ve been doing this for long enough as it is. I’m burned out and it’s time to come home. I wasn’t sure what they would say since I’ve already complained to them about changing things up on me. But I got an excited response from them that said, “Sure.” But I got what I wanted, so I am a happy camper.
I’ve had the pleasure of going on two shore excursions since the last time I wrote. One in the port of Naples, Italy where I visited the ruins of Pompeii and one today, in Katakalon, Greece where I got to visit the site of the original Olympics.
Naples is the 3rd largest city in Italy, right behind Rome and Milan. The entire city was built on the lava from Mt. Vesuvias. From Naples we drove about 30 mintues to reach the old city of Pompeii. When we got in and walked around with the guide it felt like a pretty big city. Much larger than I expected it to be. The guide said it was 600 acres and about 2 miles around the outside walls. Now all the information I’m going to give you is what I remember from the guide, he, or my rewording could very possibly be wrong. Here’s what I remember. The city was originally built by the Greeks, until it was destroyed by a massive earthquake in AD 62. It was rebuilt by the Romans, but was having a bad two decades because shortly after it was put back together Mt. Vesuvias erupted, in AD 79 and covered the city in 20 feet of ash. There were approximately 20,000 people living in the city at the time and over 5,000 were killed. There are casts of bodies that were found. One was of a pregnant woman caught in the ash. Although many people died the city is still in pretty good shape since it was only the ash the covered the city. No lava came Pompeii’s way. Unlike Herculaneum, another city near Naples and Pompeii, that was covered in 60 feet of lava and less of it remains.
The guide pointed out that they know Mt. Vesuvius was active in the past because the entire city of Pompeii was built on lava and the original builders used lava as the main building material in many of the structures. It was easy to see which buildings were rebuilt by the Romans because they used different building materials. Romans used concrete and bricks, so on many of the buildings you could see the lava material on the bottom half and then bricks on the top so it was obvious to see the reconstruction by the Romans. You could also see the ruts that were cut into the cobblestone streets from the chariots they rode around in. It was a long day of walking and lots of ruins, I was knackered by the end but glad to have gotten off the ship and seen some of the sights!
Today we were in Katakalon, Greece. There isn’t much in Katakalon, the only reason we stop at the port is to visit Olympia. So visit I did. Here’s the history — I feel like I’m writing a report, but I’m sure I’ll be glad I wrote about it someday when I look back on all this. Our guide was FULL of information and told us about all the history and stories of this god and that god. Unfortunately I can’t remember all that. Here’s what I do remember. What they call the very first Olympic games was held in 776 BC. The games branched from regular chariot races that were held, but the leader at the time wanted the activities to be open to everyone. Only the wealthy were able to afford chariots and a horse team, so by turning the races into foot races they were opened up to every common man. Women were not allowed to enter the races, or even the stadium, and the penalty was death. The games were dedicated to Zeus and on the grounds is a huge temple built to honor Zeus. Inside was a 40 foot seated statue of him made of marble and gold which was one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. But it disappeared somewhere along the way. Nearby is the long flat field they call the stadium. In the time of the games the field was decribed as being 1 stadium long. A stadium is 600 feet or 192 meters. The unit of measurement later became the name and meaning we know it as now. The first year of the Olympics they only had a 1 stadium foot race. The next year they added a 2 stadium race, the year after a 24 stadium race. Along with other competitions like discus, short and long jump, chariot races and the pankration, which he described as something like UFC fighting.
We wandered around the site and looked at all the ruins. Some of them have been stacked back up with recreations added to make it easier to imagine. This was done for the Athens Olympics in 2004. Zeus’ temple seemed like the largest with huge columns. The base of a column has a diameter of about 9 feet. The other large temple on the site was the one for Hera, Zeus’ wife. The women weren’t allowed in the mens games, but apparently they held games for women only (spectators included) in the years the men weren’t having one. Outside of the temples were many concrete and marble pedestals. Our guide, Criton, explained that these were to hold gifts and statues meant to be offerings to Zeus and Hera by wealthy people. In the time of the Greeks they left them out in the streets unguarded, because no person would be crazy enough to steal from the gods. So they were not stolen. However, when the Romans moved in they had no fear of the gods so the city was looted and all the offerings disappeared. However many of the pedestals still remain. You can tell what it held by the shape of the top. There is a concave hold for big marble pieces and for bronze statues there are two holes shaped like feet. After the tour ended we had some time to wander around and take pictures. I took the opportunity to break out my gorilla pod and shoot myself running the stadium. I won.
Afterwards we went to Hotel Europa for some Greek food and Zorba dancing. I thought it was going to be a show, but turned into a more participatory experience, so me and Paul (cast member I know from another ship) got involved and danced around yelling “opa”. It was a lot of fun. Greek food is so basic, but oh so good. We ate feta cheese, tomatoes, and carrots, with tzaziki sauce and meatballs and delicious bread. MMMM good.
The weather here has officially turned warm, on the verge of hot. I wore shorts and a tank top this morning and my tan is coming along nicely. Since I found out my contract is going to be shortened my mood has improved immensely just knowing the end is near. I only have four more cruises including this one. So it makes me realize I need to get out there and see things even though I don’t have much time.
In other news, I am looking for a job. A real one. I have started looking online and am finding that what I want to do is called a ______ Coordinator. Event, Program, Office, etc. Job descriptions sound something like this, “This position is ideal for an organized, detail oriented person who is responsible for the planning, organizing, implementation and evaluation of social, recreational and community relations programs.” Or “Identify, coordinate and manage promtions and events”. Anything in event or office planning and organization sounds interesting and would be compatible with what I’ve been doing lately. So keep your ears open. And forward me anything you think I might be interested in. I’ve already sent some resumes out. Let me know if you know someone and I’ll send you a resume to pass on. You guys are the best resources I have and I need a real job if I’m going to move (and stay for a while) home. I’ll also be looking for something part time right away as soon as I get home, like Stabucks or waitressing, that will bring in some money while I look for a job that I really want. So if you have a lead for me there and know someone that could help too. I’ll be home June 18th, so I’m looking to start something partime by the beginning of July. And full time as soon as I can find something I’ll love! Or at least like.
April 28, 2009
We’ve just about completed our first 10 day cruise. This contract will be made up of the same two 10 day cruises over and over again. So the places I didn’t get to see this time, hopefully I’ll get a chance to see in the next couple times we’re here. I am extremely frustrated with the way things are going with the job and everyday some perk of the job gets taken away which makes me even angrier. So job wise (and the opportunity to get off the ship), things are not going well. However, in this particular email I’m going to talk about just the good things I’ve been able to do and see so far.
We got off in Dubrovnik, Croatia, but I think I already wrote about that stop. Went to the old city. A walled city with big cobblestone streets. Ate lunch, delicious. Drank some local white wine. Not so delicious. The plate in front was a local meat item. Some name I have no hope at pronouncing. It was like a meat ball/sausage with a crispy outside. Mmmm.
The next place I was able to get off the ship was Santorini. It was my first time stepping foot on Greek land. I only had a little over 2 hours so we went for lunch at a Greek restaurant the Travel Guide, Tom suggested. We ordered Oyzo to drink, which is a liquor similar to Sambuka or Jagermeister. Powerful stuff. That was my least favorite part of the meal. But it’s a Greek classic. So we had to try it. I had a local wine, which was delicious and Rienus had their beer, although it wasn’t anything too exciting. Amstel. We ordered way too much and the food just kept on coming, but everything was really good. In the picture is Fava, which is smooshed yellow peas (or maybe chick peas, not sure through translation) mixed with olive oil and onions and served with bread. The other thing is made of tomato and dough and fried. We had calamari, Souvlaki (which was just skewers really with lettuce and tomato and pita) a greek version of a kebab. The other people we were with got Greek meatballs, which are a squished, crispier version than back home, and an order of olives. Greek olives in Greece. Who woulda thought?
After lunch we made our way up the steep, steep cliff to the part of Santorini called Fira town. Your choices are a donkey ride up the switch backing trail or the gondola. We were short on time so we opted for the gondola, but next time I’m going donkey. Once you get to the tip its narrow cobblestone walkways, lots of curved arches. White buildings, old cracks running up the sides. The views were gorgeous and you could see the entire island. The island is a crater rim and is a crescent moon shape. I only had enough time for a quick look around and we headed back down, but it was beautiful and hopefully I’ll get some more time next time we are there to sit down, and enjoy the view and some shopping.
We had one stop in Kusadasi, Turkey. This is the port near Ephesus. I didn’t have enough time to go and see Ephesus ( and I want to do some reading up on it so I know some of the history before I go) so we just walked around the port area. It reminded me of the tourist areas in Morocco and China. You are just bombarded with offers and comments. They all say something about what you’re wearing or “special for you”, “just take a look”. It’s exceedingly obnoxious, but I’ve gotten to a point where it doesn’t phase me all that much. I’ve always known you just ignore them, but I’ve gotten to the point where I can do it AND not feel bad about it. In Kusadasi they have “genuine fake” everything, watches, purses, bags, clothes, everything. That morning the Event Manager and Cruise Director confirmed that I can wear my own clothes in the evening instead of a horrendous blue blazer from the 90’s with shoulder pads and a khaki skirt. So I bought a couple tops when we were out. It’ll definitely be my shopping port. It’s a crew members favorite kind of port. They have all sorts of shop less than a 5 minute walk from the gangway. We sat down at a restaurant for lunch with Mike and Lola, Mike works with Rienus, Lola works in the salon. The girls got Rose wine and the boys ordered the local beer, Effe. Both were delicious and on the way back to the ship we picked up another bottle of the Rose’. I’ve enjoyed trying the local wine at all our meal stops. Lunch was the mixed kebab plate for me. Rice, lettuce, tomate, pita bread, lamb and chicken meat sliced off the massive kebab they have roasting in the back of the shop, and lots and lots of garlic sauce. He brought a huge bowl out for the four of us and we were scraping the bottom by the time we were nearly done. On the way back the boys decided to buy themselves the ridiculous fez hats with the Turkish Lira they had left. Ridiculous.
Today I had an hour to walk around Messina in Sicily. My goal was a canoli for Rienus and I and to take some pictures and check out Sicily. Canoli – Check. I definitely learned that the Sicilian’s like to sleep in. I went out at 8:45am and about 1 in 5 stores were open by the time I got back to the ship around 9:45am. I just walked around, saw the buildings, jay walked, took some pictures and walked back to the ship. Hopefully next time I”ll be able to see more. The buildings were beautiful and the canoli and brioche flowed like wine.
Mediterranean April 21st, 2009
I made it safely on my first cross-Atlantic sailing. I’ve now crossed the two biggest oceans in the world on a ship. Not that anyone really puts that on their Life To Do List. The cities here are all so colorful and full of character. There are a lot of oranges, pinks and yellows on the buildings. Today I was able to get off the ship for a couple hours and wander into the old city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. I’d never really thought of Croatia as being part of the Mediterranean, but here it is and looks just like all our other stops. I’m used to the French and Spanish we’ve been hearing, so the Croatian language was an interesting switch.
I don’t have much of a story to tell. We had lunch, where we asked to have something local and ended up with a mixed seafood plate and another local dish that came out looking quite a bit like breakfast sausages. If I get fast enough internet I’ll post the pre-meal picture. It was all absolutely delicious. Then of course topped the meal off with “ice cream” which was an even creamier version of Italian gelato. All in all, I’m a fan of Dubrovnik.
This cruise consists of this stop, 4 in Greece, Ephesus in Turkey and Messina, Italy. We are doing 10 day cruises out of Civitavecchia, the port city an hour outside of Rome. Things with work are really busy. We don’t have enough staff to cover the kids program and the library all day long, unless we work the entire day with little chance to get off the ship. Which defeats the whole point of me being here, since I’m doing this for the travel. So I’ve been frustrated with that lately. It’s almost worst to be here and see it from the ship, but not be able to go, than to be home and not see it at all. That’s the bad news.
The good news is I like this ship and have made some friends and I’m sure there’ll be more to come. Once we settle into the cruises we’re doing and the scheduling gets figured out I’ll know what to expect and can hopefully plan on doing things ashore.
Hopefully I’ll have more exciting stories from the Med for you next time!
No one has ever exclaimed, “I LOVE looking for a job!” But I didn’t think it was going to be that tough. I assumed a couple days contacting temp agencies, then surely someone would give me a job.
And now, after three weeks of sending resumes, calling to see if they got it, calling again to see if they want to schedule an interview, going to interviews, filling out more information online, craigslist, indeed.com, talking to friends, calls to follow up, and anything else I could possibly imagine, I still have nothing to show. Although my resume has gotten spruced up a bit. So for all those lucky job holders out there, I am looking for work! Let me know if you need somebody temporarily for a month or two.
However, joblessness does have its perks. I am becoming a craigslist tycoon, cleaning out the garage for Mom and Dad and making the occasional buck when something actually sells. I watch a good hour (if not more) of HGTV and Extreme Makeover Home Edition a day, as well as enjoying limitless time on free, FAST internet–something I don’t get while on a ship. I’ve caught up with quite a few friends from school, made multiple trips into Seattle, and started reffing (and hopefully playing soon) volleyball.
Wish me luck.
It’s been so long. And I always feel the need to “catch up” with these blogs so here are the highlights:
October: After Hawaii on the Statendam we headed south to French Polynesia. Tahiti, Bora Bora, Nuku Hiva, Moorea. All gorgeous tropical islands with the clearest water you will see in your life. My favorite was Bora Bora. Probably because I went on a fun excursion to swim with sting rays. They were everywhere. Swimming up my sides. I kept having flashes of Steve Erwin being stabbed in the heart by one. But I came out unscathed. That day we snorkeled a bit too and saw an octopus, a whole bunch of sharks (little ones) and admired the gorgeous coral they have there in shapes and colors I’ve never seen in the Caribbean and Hawaii. All in all, the south pacific was a success.
End of October: Rienus and I left the Statendam on the same day and spent a couple days hanging out with Jacki in San Diego. I love that city. We did the San Diego zoo and saw Shamu at SeaWorld. Both were fantastic. As most of you know I love love love Jacki, so it’s always a good time there, but it was even more fun to have my friends from land meet Rienus. Land and sea colliding!
After San Diego it was up to Seattle for 10 days of hanging out with my family. I took Rienus out to visit Lydia and Josh in Yelm and ride 4 by 4’s and play with the dog and all that. We did all the American things we could and enjoyed Seattle.
Then on to New Zealand! I spent 6 weeks on the North Island and had a wonderful tour guide show me just about everything. I met Rienus’ family, bungy jumped, black water rafted in underground caves, went luging, chased sheep, saw some gorgeous scenery, fished (for five minutes) and enjoyed the southern hemispheres opposite weather.
Home again in mid December to have my first Christmas at home in three years! It was fun to get back in the tradition of handing out gifts and trying my hardest to save the last present for myself to open After opening all the presents, eating a lot of desserts and wallowing in the Christmas spirit I flew to Florida to get on the Westerdam to celebrate New Years with Rienus in Holland America style. Quite a few of the people I celebrated the coming of 2008 with were there again to ring in 2009 with me, so I had a blast, even though I arrived only a couple days before the turn of the year. Five weeks on the Westerdam found me tanned and happy and ready to come home.
The last few times I’ve been home in the past year I have only stopped in for a week or two, not really giving me time to reconnect with friends or establish a routine. Thus, I’m excited for the next while.
It’s now February 8th and another birthday has come and gone. Now I can rent cars and get $5 off my car insurance monthly. That’s really all I had to look forward to with the big Two-Five. My grandfather sadly passed away a week ago, so the family headed back to Indianapolis for the memorial service and to spend time with family. It was really fun to have so much family in the same place at the same time, since they’re all scattered across the US. Nearly all my first cousins on my dad’s side were there so we had a lot of fun reconnecting and spending time together. It’s been five years since I’ve been back to see family in Indiana and everyone had grown up so much I had to meet new baby cousins and talk like adults with others that were in junior high the last time I saw them. All in all a great trip for family.
I’ve got two months until my next ocean going adventure, which I am happy to spend at home living a normal life. I’m looking for temporary work to get some money rolling in and trying to pick up normal habits, like going to church every week and playing volleyball on a team with some girls from high school.
So life is looking pretty plain jane in the next two months for me. And I am more than happy about the change
